Hippodrome Anfa
Jazzablanca Festival
Casablanca, Morocco
March 29-April 3, 2014

Jazz breathes new life through the Jazzablanca Festival. Rethinking Jazz culture is a difficult process, as no findings about jazz audiences in Morocco exist. Jazz is only brought to the fore of discussion at festival time. The media does not publicize jazz the rest of the year otherwise, only partnering with festivals for coverage purposes.

Hence, the elitist question around jazz has not been solved and is always present, especially considering expensive tickets, let alone the mystery revolving around the aesthetics of jazz and its culture. To shortcut that distance and reach a wider audience, festival organizers went to the street. Fez and Tangiers experimented with that concept, and this year it was Casablanca's turn to present jazz in a sprawling metropolis.

Casablanca may not be as exotic as other Moroccan cities, but has charm of its own. It is the country's economic capital and represents trendy Morocco with art galleries, upscale stores, numerous restaurants and hip night clubs. Mostly built in the 20th century during the time of French protectorate, it was redesigned by French architect Henri Prost, per the request of the first French resident.

The wide boulevards, old white houses, public parks and fountains keep the memory of French design intact. The wall-protected Medina embodies Morocco's traditional, sinewy back streets, shopping stalls and famous clock tower. At the crossroads stands Place des Nation Unies, a recently restored terrace hosting free Jazzablanca concerts.

Six shows were scheduled to charm fans and passersby. From jazz, funk and blues to fusion, the 9th edition sought to create a musical bubble in the city.

The off program also included concerts at a hotel, as well as gigs in a jazz club next to main stage for preludes and afters featuring highly respected artists like